Norton Internet Security (2013)

Bottom Line

Reviewers consistently place Norton Internet Security (2013) (*Est. $20 for 3 PCs) in their top three choices of Internet security suites, and the software earns an Editors' Choice award at PCMag.com. The software is fast and doesn't take up much space in computer memory, and it rates highly in blocking malware attacks. Norton has removed the annual designation from its products; the software now updates automatically. The straightforward interface is touch-enabled, and its antivirus features are well reviewed. In particular, reviewers highly praise the anti-spamming and anti-phishing tools.

Ease of Use

Slick, simple interface. Reviewers agree that Norton Internet Security (2013) is simple to install and use. Norton Internet Security's interface is designed for use with Windows 8, with large touch-friendly buttons that also work well when you use a mouse. However, Sarah Jacobsson Purewal of PCWorld reports that you can only use touch on the main screens. Navigation is straightforward, though with a large array of options, beginners may be a little overwhelmed. However, the help system takes the user straight into Norton's online help database. One complaint from several reviewers is that there are a lot of prominent links on the screen that take you out of the Norton Internet Security (2013) system into separate Symantec services, including Mobile Online Family.

Features

Crowdsourced threat identification. Norton Internet Security (2013) has the same well-reviewed malware features as the stand-alone Norton Anti-Virus: antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing and a firewall, plus tools for online identity security. The software examines your computer for threats, using quick scan, full scan or a custom scan, but also looks at your Facebook wall for threatening links. Norton Internet Security (2013) installs a bar on your browser toolbar to warn of any incoming threats and connects to the free, web-based Norton Family service to set up parental controls; PCMag.com awards this service 4 out of 5 stars.

Norton uses knowledge databases in its security efforts, recording the reputation of websites through the crowdsourced community watch and issuing warnings about potentially risky websites. A useful tool is the ability to create a bootable recovery disk or USB device for those with netbooks or tablets, that enables you to wipe your computer and restore your data if it becomes compromised by malware.

Performance

Faster than average. Running Norton Internet Security (2013) will have only a small effect on your computer system's performance, delaying startup and shutdown by two or three seconds, well below the industry average. Several reviewers say they couldn't detect any system lag in everyday use, which may be due to the software taking up only 256 MB of RAM. Norton Internet Security (2013) is very successful in tests conducted by professional labs and journals, blocking all of the malware attacks thrown at it in PCWorld's trials and stopping 96 percent of all threats in AV-Test labs testing.

Its performance in cleaning up already-infected systems varies from earning the top marks at PCMag.com to "a decent" 84 percent at AV-Test labs. The anti-spamming feature of Norton Internet Security (2013) very accurately identifies spam emails and lets valid email through, and the reviewer at PCMag.com uses its anti-phishing technology performance as the benchmark for testing competitor's software.